News

Lexar Media's LockTight technology will now be supported in the Nikon
D200 digital SLR, enabling users to fully utilize the camera's advanced
feature set, including security functionality and burst mode shooting. Lexar
Professional LockTight CompactFlash is a unique security technology that allows
photographers and organizations to control access to information stored on the
user's memory cards. The Nikon D200 is the most affordable digital camera
that includes built-in LockTight functionality.

HP is offering two digital photography software products that enable consumers
to print high-quality photos at home in two simple steps. Available as a free
download, HP Photosmart Essential 1.9 offers a variety of photo organizing,
editing and sharing tools and can be expanded with free new features or upgrades
as they are released. Among the offerings are Holiday Card Packs that enable
users to create personalized holiday greeting cards by dragging and dropping
photos into professionally designed templates.

Extensis has unveiled Portfolio 8, the latest edition of their popular digital
asset management solution. The new version of Portfolio provides industrial-strength
workflow features to organize and share digital files with visual catalogs and
embedded metadata--making it easy to quickly find, route and distribute
valuable material like images, brochures, layouts and logos within asset creation
workgroups and externally with global partners.

Tamrac's new Adventure 7 photo backpack is cleverly designed to not look
like a camera bag, enabling photographers to transport their expensive gear
with less risk of theft. This sleek photo backpack features a padded lower compartment
for protecting photo gear and a large top section for carrying personal items.

Delkin Devices is now shipping a Universal version of their popular Pop-Up
Shade that enables you to see your camera's LCD screen in the sun and
protect it from damage. The sturdy, lightweight covers are easily installed
and protect a digital camera's expensive LCD screen. Universal Pop-Up
Shades are designed to work on most digital point-and-shoot cameras and feature
a two-part design that allows the shade portion to be removed, leaving the LCD
guard in place.

Uniross has expanded its broad assortment of sophisticated battery chargers
with the introduction of a line of compact, versatile models designed for travelers
who need to recharge their batteries anywhere in the world. The Uniross Globe
Trotter chargers come complete with three international plugs that enable them
to be used in 90% of countries throughout the world.

Lyson, Inc., a leading provider of inks and media has introduced a bulk ink
feed system and bulk ink for Hewlett-Packard's popular Designjet 5000
and 5500 large format printers. The new Lyson bulk feed system features specially
modified REPLEO bulk ink cartridges with an everlasting chip. Lyson's
REPLEO ink sets are color matched to original OEM inks, in this case HP's
dye and pigment-based (UV) offerings, so there is no need to create new color
profiles.

Eastman Kodak Co. is now shipping the highly anticipated EasyShare-One--a
unique compact digicam that enables the user to send e-mail from the camera,
to connect to the Kodak EasyShare Gallery from Wi-Fi hotspots, and to optimize
viewing and operation via an intuitive touch screen and graphical menu interface.

Canon has announced an Amateur Photo Contest that will help provide supplement
funding for the 2007 Canon Envirothon--North America's largest high school
environmental education competition in which teams battle for recognition and
scholarships by demonstrating their knowledge of natural resources. Students
apply their training and problem-solving skills in five subject areas--soils,
aquatics, forestry, wildlife, and a current environmental issue that changes
each year.

Adobe Systems has collaborated with MEDIUM Design Group of Santa Barbara, CA
to create the ultimate messenger bag for digital photographers and other creative
professionals. This stylish limited-edition bag will be sold exclusively at
Barneys New York and online at adobe.mediumdesigngroup.com.
It features a secure laptop compartment, as well as multiple pockets for memory
cards, cables, PDAs, cell phones and other accessories. There's also a
unique MP3 pocket which includes specially designed buttonholes and hooks, allowing
users to run headphone cables outside the bag.

Nikon Inc. is recalling EN-EL3 batteries as detailed in a service advisory
(issued Nov. 7. 2005) because of possible overheating and melting. The recall
involves over 700,000 affected battery packs (including 200,000 in the US) that
were packaged with the Nikon D100, D70 and D50 and also sold as accessories
under model number 26265. Replacement will be free of charge. Although only
four incidents of problems have been reported to date, replacement of batteries
with the pertinent lot numbers is strongly recommended. Full specifics are available
at http://www.nikonusa.com/email_images/nikonusa/service_advisory/battery.html
on the Nikon Web site. To receive instructions and materials for the return
of your affected EN-EL3 battery pack, postage prepaid, and your free replacement,
click here http://www.nikondealernet.com/sa2.asp
or call toll free 1-800-645-6678.

Adobe has released an updated beta version (v3.3, 11/10/05) of their Adobe
Camera Raw plug-in for raw file conversion with a few enhancements. (Compatible
only with Photoshop CS 2 as well as Elements 3.0 and 4.0.) Support for additional
cameras has also been added, including the Canon EOS 5D, EOS 1D Mark II N, Pentax
*ist DL and *ist DS2. A minor fix has also been made to the Adobe DNG converter,
"improved decoding for some camera models". Do note that this is a
beta version, although it appeared to work perfectly in my preliminary tests.
When installing the Camera Raw plug-in, be sure to follow the instructions exactly
as described on the Adobe web site. The download for Mac and Windows is available
at http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/new.jsp.

The new Intuos3 6x11 pen tablet from Wacom is specifically designed for photographers,
designers and artists who are using multiple monitors or a widescreen display.
With an active area that matches the aspect ratio of either a widescreen display
or two standard displays used together, this innovative tablet features intuitive
controls, a cordless, battery-free Grip Pen offering 1,024 levels of pressure,
and an ergonomic five-button Intuos3 mouse.